Method of and apparatus for making printing plates



May 11 1926.

' L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES eShets-Sheet 1 Filed August 4., 1921 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PR INTING PLATES 6Sheets-Sheet 2 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH" METHOD 'OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES 6Sheets-Sheet 3 QC CECHILCC CCECCCJLEECCECCCCEE m-EFM L EPPEFE EEE FiledAugust 4. 1921 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES Filed August4. 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 4 May 11 1926.

L. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES Filed A g 4.1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Z/c/ZW 67225172 L. SMITH METHODIOF AND APPARATUSFOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES May 11 1926.

* Illlllllll l Patented May 11, 1926. I

UNITED STATES PATENT o FicE.

LOUIS SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM L.HALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES.

Application filed August 4, 1921. Serial No. 489,710.

This invention relates to a novel method of producing printing elements,such as offset printing plates and lithograph printing plates and thelike for printing in one or in different colors, and made from printingforms, such as plates, rules, types, or cuts, and to a novel machine orpracticing the method.

The method herein shown is disclosed in my prior U. S. Reissue LettersPatent N 0. 15,481, dated October 31, 1922, to which reference may behad for a general exposition of said method.

In accordance with my novel method of making printing elements, such asoffset, lithographic printing plates, and the" like, from printing formsof the character described, I employ a printing form element, a proofelement to prove and register the printing forms, a printing plateelement, and a transfer element, which latter rolls with its surface incontact with and picks up the impression from the proved and registeredprinting form element, and by rolling movement of the transfer elementcarries or transfers the impressions to the printing plate element toproduce, after subsequent known treatments of the plate, an offset orlithographic printing plate, and I adjust one of said printing forms orprint-- ing elements relatively to the transfer element to enable theimpressions of the printing form element to be duplicated or printed inpredetermined relation on the final printing element; or the objects ofthe printing form can, by suitable spaced arrangement of theprintingforms, relatively to the transfer element, be made to be superimposed onthe printing element or plate for producing color printing elements orplates, or for producing superimposed impressions of the same color onthe printing element or plate. Further, the said impressions, after theyhave been picked up from the printing form element may, by the use of asecondary transfer element, be reversed and imprinted on the printingelement, so that the impressions appear thereon in reverse way as on theprinting form element; that is, if the printing form element is negativethe impressions delivered on the printing element by the secondarytransfer element may be positive, and vice versa. Further, the printingelement may be made to be moved relatively to the transfer element bywhich the press for impressions are transferred to the printing element,.so that the printing element can be made to receive impressions fromthe transfer element at different areas of the printing element and alsoa printing element longer than the transfer element can be made.

When beginning the method, the first printing form is proved andregistered by a proving cylinder. It is locked preferably at a corner ofan adjustable bed and can constitute a key form by which other forms maybe proved and registered. If the bedbe a double bed and adapted tosupport two different kinds of objects with respect to their lines whichare to be printed on the ultimate printing element in superimposedrelation, the printing forms will be locked on the bed atspacedintervals, relatively to the effective contact surfaces of theproof and transfer elements, so that after a key form is proved andregistered another printing form can, by its guidance, be provedandregistered in such position that the impressions of both forms willappear in super-' imposed relation on the proof and transfer elementsand will, by the transfer element, be transferred in superposed relationon the printing element; and any practical number of such impressionsmay be superimposed. After the forms have once been proved andregistered, proper manipulation of the supporting bed for the forms andof the transfer elements over the forms enables the transfer elements tobe filled throughout the entire or less than all of the area thereof,both longitudinally and circumferentially, and theimpressions sotransferred may in one operation of the transfer element transfer allthe impressions thereon to the printing element, either directly, or

through the cooperation of a secondary transfer element.

The machine embodying my invention follows the general construction ofthe machine illustrated in my aforesaid prior patent, the details ofoperating the transfer elements or cylinders with respect to theirtravel along the printing forms and plates, with respect to means forcausing them to travel out of contact with said forms, plates, and withrespect to the means for reversing the impressions and the means totransfer the impression on plates longer than the transfer elementsbeing broadly the same. 7

to claims wherein details of the disclosure are specifically set forthand as imposed by the prior art.

As shown in the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the proof end ofthe press, with parts omitted.

Figure 2 is a plan view, showing the transfor end of the press, withparts omitted,

which, combined with Figure 1, shows a plan view ofthe entire press.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the proof end of the press. a

Figure 4 is a section indicated on the line 44 of Figure 7.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the transfer end of the press.

Figure 6 is a section indicated on the general line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a transverse section on the line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the proof roller, its mounting, andgears for operat- 111%113. V F igure 9 is a section on the line 99 of re8. igure 10 is a section on the line 1010 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a horizontal section on the line 1111 of Figure 8.

The general contour and dimensions of the frame 15 of the machine may beof any suitable form to give support to the various elements and to thebearings for the cylinders hereinafter described. The frame is shown asembracing side members 16 connected' by cross members 16', and legs 17.

Said frame supports a bed, designated as a whole by 18, for the printingforms A and also a bed 19 for printing elements B to be made, in amanner which will hereinafter more fully appear, the said beds beingspaced longitudinally of the frame. The printing element bed 19, whichis disposed transversely of the frame 15, is longer'than the width ofthe frame, and is supported to be shifted laterally relative to thelength ofthe frame, for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

At this int it may be observed that said printing e ement bed 19 can beshifted transversely of the frame 15 on a transverse extension frame 20by pinions 24, 24, WhlCll are fixed to and driven by a shaft 25 that hashearings in members of the frame 20 which latter members are recessed toreceive the bed 19. The shaft 25 has a hand wheel 28 by which to turn itto act through the PIDIOIIS The.

24 and downwardly facing racks 29 on the underside of the printingelement bed.

The bed 18 is an adjustable bed in that it is supported for adjustmentboth laterally and longitudinally of the frame and the transfer cylinderor cylinders, as will hereinafter more fully appear, and in the generalmanner illustrated in my aforesaid United States patent. The bedreceives and supports in'any suitable manner chases 31 for the printingforms A. The said bed 18 is also a double bed, in that it is adapted tosupport two spaced printing forms in such relation relatively to atransfer element that impressions from both forms can be proved insuperimposed relation by a proof cylinder and can be transferred inseparate or superimposed relation on a transfer element, and by saidtransfer element be imprinted on a printing element to produce an offsetor lithograph printing plate. Said bed is centrally divided by atransverse ridge or rail 32, and is supported on a carriage 35 v of anysuitable form that is adjustable longitudinally on the frame, and onwhich carriage and a lateral extension 36 thereof said bed is adapted tobe adjusted laterally. Thus the lateral adjustment of the bed 18 on thecarriage and the longitudinal adjustment of the carriage on the frame,carrying with it said bed, imparts both lateral and longitudinaladjustment movements to the double part bed relatively to the main frameand the transfer and proof cylinders.

The means shown for shifting the bed laterally on said carriage 35comprises a threaded shaft 38 that is threaded through a nut 39 which isfixed to and depends from said bed. Said shaft has rotative bearing at40 inthe side carriage rail 41 but is axially fixed in its bearing. Itis adapted to be operated by a hand wheel 42 at one side of the machineframe. The means shown for giving movement to the carriagelongitudinally of the frame comprises a rotative shaft 43 that extendsbetween, and has rotative bearings at 44 in, the side members 16 ofthevframe, and said shaft is provided with pinions 45 that mesh withthe.

teeth of the downwardly facing racks 44 on the side rails 41 of thecarnage. Said shaft 43 is adapted to be rotated by a hand wheel 46.Suitably constructed and connected micrometer mechanisms 48, 49 can beconnected, respectively, to the shafts 38 and 43 to determine accurateand delicate adjustments on the bed.

55 designates a proof cylinder that is adapted to normally occupy aspace forwardly beyond the printing bed and adapted to roll over and inproof contact with the printing forms supported on said bed, by meanshereinafter to be described.

56, 5'7 designate what may be termed primary andsecondary transfercylinders. The

- the upwardly transfer cylinders are so supported and can bemanipulated. in such a way that if the impressions are to be transferredfrom the printing forms to the printin element B, one of said transfercylinders 18 adapted to be rolled or otherwise shifted directly to theprinting element 01' plate, and the transfer imprinted directly thereon.If the impressions of the printing forms are to be reversed on theprinting element 13, the transfer cylinder 56, after beingmoved awayfrom the printing forms, can be. rotated in peripheral ink transfercontact with the cylinder 57, after which the latter "cylinder is rolledbodily over and in ink transference contact with the printing element orplateB.

All of the cylinders 55, 56, and 57 will be provided with the usuallongitudinal clearance recesses (as indicated, for instance in thedotted line in Figure 10) to receive the. grippers for the proof paperand the blankets ofthe respective cylinders, and in the presentconstruction of the press these recesses serve, in connection withstationary or marking parts on the frame, as the end and central railsof the bed 18 and the marginal rails of the bed 18, and incooperationwith the cylinder driving means, as means to maintain the registry ofthe cylinders relatively to the printing forms and the printing elementsand also for bringing the cylinders 56, 57 in contact along the properline for mutual transference of the impressions from one to the otherwhen said cylinders are rolled in peripheral contact, as willhereinafter appear.

Each of said cylinders is mounted to rotate on an axially disposed shaft59, the

shafts for all of the cylinders being marked with a common referencecharacter. Said shafts are supported, through rollers 60 on horizontaltracks 61, 61 at the sides of the frame, said tracks extending from oneend to the other of said frame. The said tracks 61 are formed on asuperframe, so to speak which is'designed, in addition to its cylindersupporting function, to guide the cylinders in their travel acrossprintingelements and to properly aligned.

Said superframe embraces lower rail-like members 63 at the sides of theframe and disposed parallel to the members 16, and upper,correspondingly located, guide rails 64, that are connected to the lowerrails by end standards 65 at the ends of the frame.

The lower rails 63, in addition to carrying facing track for the rollers60, are formed to provide exterior thereto upwardly facing parallelracks 66 at the sides of the machine frame laterally exterior to holdthe cylinders the tracks 61. lVith said racks mesh pinions 67 that arefixed to the cylinder shafts 59 exterior to the supporting rollers 60and rails 61. The said cylinders are driven inthe printing forms and.

directly through a gear train from the drivwith said forms and printingelements and this movement may occur at a time when the cylinderclearance recesses are at the bottoms of the-eylinders'and, therefore,out of contact with the-lower, normally coactive surfaces. Other meansmay be employed to separate the cylinder surfaces from the printingforms and printing element surfaces, such, for instance, as the trackelevating means shown in my aforesaid prior pat ent. I

The said cylinder gear driving connections for the cylinders 56, 57 arealso such that the drive connections to the rack can be broken when thecylinders are brought, into peripheral contact to transfer theimpressions from the cylinder 56 to-the cylinder 57. At this time thecylinders will be locked together and power can be transmitted to rotateboth of the cylinders through direct power application to one cylinder,as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Thedriving and rotating gear mechanism for all the cylinders aresubstantially the same and the description of one gear train and themeans for manipulating the same will answer as a full description ofall, the same reference letters being employed to denote like parts.

Each cylinder has at one' end an internal annular rack or gear 70. 73,74 designate what may be termed cross heads which are slidable along therails 63, 64 of the superframe before referred to. The cross head 7 3 isassociated with the proof cylinder actuating mechanism. Each cross head73, 7 4 is of general fork shape. It has at its upper end guide collars7 5 that are slidable on the rail 64. The fork arms comprise ratherbroad plates 76. One of said plates 76 of each cross head is provided atits lower end with'a dovetail rib 78 that slides in a longitudinallydisposed undercut groove 79- formed on the outer face of the adjacentlower rail 63. Said grooves and the rails 64 extend from end to end ofthe superframe. The said plates of each cross head are formed withregistering openings to receive and support short shafts 83, s4 and theextendedends of the. cylinder shaft 59.

Said fork arms are also pierced to form guide openings to receive alocking pin 86 that engages at its inner end an opening or openings 87in the adjacent end of the cylinder. An expansion spring 88 serves tonormally hold the inner end of said locking pin engaged in the opening87, so that the cylinder at times can be held from rotation on its shaft59. When the locking pin is withdrawn against the action of the spring88, it may be held in an unlocking position by an extension or lug 89(Figure 11) which normally lies ina recess in the. cross head, and whichis adapted, when the pin is withdrawn and rotated on its axis to engagean imperforate part of the cross head and be thereby locked fromshooting into cylinder locking position.

Between the arms of the head at the driving end of the cylinder andfixed to the shaft 83 is a pinion 90. To the inner end of said shaft 83,associated with the transfer cylin ders, are fixed two pinions. 93, 94,the latter meshing with the internal gear or rack 7 0 at the adjacentendof the cylinder, and the former adapted for meshing engagement withgears for imparting movement of rotation to the cylinders 56, 57 whenthey are adjusted to be rotated in ink transferring contact. In thedriving mechanism for the proof cylinder no gear corresponding to thegear 93 will be employed, only a single pinion 94 on said proof cylinderbeing fixed to the shaft 83.

The shaft 84 is mounted in bearing blocks 96 which have longitudinallysliding movement in slots 97 in the fork plates of the cross head. Anidler inion 99 is mounted to" rotate freely on said shaft 84 and it isadapted to be meshed with and demeshed from the pinions 67 and 90. Whenthe pinion 99 is meshed with the pinions 67 and 90, the cylinder can beturned by the hand crank 102 which may be fitted to the extended end ofthe shaft 59 or 83, and the pinion 67 on the shaft 59 operates throughthe idler pinion 99, the pinion 90, the shaft 83, and pinion 94 andinternal gear 70, with the function of both causing the cylinder totravel along the frame and to also cause the cylinder to turn on itsaxis, with its cylindric surface in ink transferring contact with theprinting forms or plates. \Vhen the pinion 99 is demeshed from thepinions 90 and 67, power to rotate the cylinder from the rack will becut off, but the cylinder may be caused to be moved bodily along theframe through the act-ion of the pinion 67 and rack 66.

The idler pinion 99 may be demeshed from and meshed with the pinions 90and 67 through any suitable mechanism. As herein shown, this movement iseffected by sliding the bearing block 96 in which the shaft for theidler pinion is mounted, as by means of a hand lever 105 that is pivotedat 106 to the cross frame, and is provided between its ends with a slot107 in which operates a lug 108 that extends outwardly from one of ingforms and mechanism to be rotated in ink transferring contact with thetype forms and plates, and to be unlocked from the rack driven gear at atime when the cylinders are brought into position for rotating, thecylinders in ink transference contact with each other and to therebytransfer the impressions picked up by the'cylinder 56 and reverse themon the cylinder 57, to be by the latter cylinder transferred to theprinting element reversely from that shown in the printing forms. -Afurther advantage of thus breakin the cylinder. rotating gear train isto pernnt the cylinders to be moved over the print- (printing elementsat times when it is not esired to rotate them. In such case the cylinderis locked from rot-ation by the locking pin 86 or other suitable means,and the pinions 67 can be rotated by a crank'applied to the squared,extended end of the cylinder'shaft 59, so as to cause the pinions to bedriven along the racks and to carfiy the cylinder non-rotative.

' cans are provided for positively rotating the cylinders 56, 57 inproper direction to transfer im ressions from one to the other and forloc ing the cylinders to hold them in proper peripheral ink transferringcontact. The means for thus rotating the cylinders, when the idlerpinions are demeshed,

embrace idler gears 112, 112, which are rota.

tively mounted on stub shafts 113, one carried by each of the crossheads, and which, when the two cylinders 56 and 57 are brought to theposition shown in Figure 6 mesh with each other. Each gear 112 ismounted in its own cross head, so as to be-. constantly in mesh with itsassociated pinion 94. The length of travel of the cylinders bodily alongthe frame, relatively to their effective circumference is such that theclearance recesses of the cylinders will always be brought into therelatlve position shown in Figure 6 when the cylinders are broughttogether for mutual impression transfer and rotation of 57 may be rolledforwardly over the printing element to permit its transfer or it may bemoved forwardly over the bed while nonrotative and imprint itsimpression onthe printing element or plates when moving rearwardly. i

The means shown for holding or locking the cylinders 56 and 57 inoperative felation during such .rotative transfer contact is made asfollows:

115 designates a latch that is hingedly sup shaft 121 which is rockinglymounted in standards 122 that rise from the guide sleeves 75 of thecross heads. The said rock shaft is provided at the driving ends of thecylinders 56, 57 with a hand lever 124 which, when the outerend isdepressed, rocks the shaft 121 4 and lifts the hook 116 of the latch 115away from the pins 117, thereby freeing the latches from the pins 117and permitting the cylinder 57 to be rotated away from the transferposition toward the printing element or plate B when its driving geartrain is again established. The weight. of the parts may permit thelatchesto drop by gravity and be held against stop pins 126.

130 designates a set of inking rolls of any suitable form that isadapted to be connected with the proof cylinder to travel therewith. Theshafts of said inking rolls are rotatively mounted in triangular plates131 pivoted by a cross rod 132 to rearward extensions 133 of the crossheads, said rod ex tending beyond the cylinder for bearing support insaid rearward extension 133. The said set of inking rolls 130 areadapted to be raised and lowered independently of the inking contact ofthe proof cylinder with the type'forms. Q

In the present construction the proof cylinder, as well also as thetransfer cylinders, are not arranged to be raised and lowered relativelyto the type forms and the printing elements, but the proportions of theeffective proof and transfer surfacesof said cylinders, with respect tothe double bed, the printing forms, and the bed, which supports theprinting element, as well also as the parts of the machine intermediateand beyond said beds, is such as to always cause the clearance recessesof the cylinders to register with "given transverse'positions on thebeds and frame, which may be termed striking positions. Thus the frontand rear ends and the dividing rail of the double bed and the front andrear ends of the printing element bed may be denoted as strikingpositions for the cylinders, and the positive gear drive between thepinions 67 and racks 66 insures permanency of register of the cylindersto make said striking positions effective. This is true whether thecylinders be rotated on their axes or not, for if a-cylinder be movedwithout rotation from one striking position to the other, at a time whenthe gear train is broken, establishment of said gear train will pick upthe cylinder for properly striking the same as though'the cylinder hadbeen rotated when moving through the same space. I

When employing this construction and arrangement, it is desirable attimes to allow the inking rolls to travel in Contact. with certain ofthe printing forms when theproof cylinder is traveling in rollingcontact therewith, and it is desirable at other times for the inkingrolls to be lifted off of certain of the printing forms when the proof,cylinder is traveling thereover, but not rotating in proof contacttherewith. I have herein shown a construction made as follows for socontrolling the inking rolls as to effect these functions 135 (Figures 9and 11) designates a forwardly extending arm that can be fixed to ormade integral with the triangular bearing plate 131. 136 designates asleeve that constitutes the pivot of the demeshing lever 105 of the geartrain for the proof cylinder. Said sleeve 136 has rocking bearing in theplates of the cross head. It extends inwardly beyond the inner plate ofthe head. 139 designates a shaft that is rockingly mounted in the sleeve136'. It is provided at its outer end with a hand lever 141 andat itsinner end with a cam arm 142 that is adapted to bear on the lever arml35.

With this construction, it will be observed that when the hand lever 141is independently depressed, its crank arm 142 will depress the crank armof the inking roll bearing plate 131 and raise the inking rolls abovethe level of the printing forms, and the parts can be locked with theinking rolls raised by causing cam to pass dead center. When the'cam isreleased the weight of the rolls causes them to descend to the level ofthe printing forms.

The rear end of the framebeyond the. support for the printing element Bis made of sufiicient length to receive the transfer cylinder 57, whenit'is desired to transfer the impressions directly from the transfer cylinder 56 to said printing element B and to also receive the transfercylinder 56 when the latter is passed over the printing element. It isunderstood that the proportions of the effective transfer and printingsurfaces of the transfer cylinders are such, relatively to the travel ofthe cylinders along the frame to the printin element support as to bringthe blanket o the transfer cylinder 56 into proper striking relation tothe printing plateor element B. When the lat ter is brought directl backfrom the printing forms the said cylinder 56 can be looked as it leavesthe rear side of the printing forms with its recess downwardlymnd may bethus continued to a point in rear of the printing plate frame wherereturn rotation thereof, when the cylinder 56'is adjusted to turn, willbring the striking parts on the printing element or plate and cylinderin register, the imprinting from the cylinder 56 taking place on thereturn, turning movement of the cylinder. Thus the meshing of the pinion67 with the racks can be relied upon to maintain the striking positionsin register. When, however, "it is desired to reverse the lines pickedup by the transfer cylinder 56, said cylinder will be rotated inperipheral contact with the cylinder 57 at the point indicated in Figure2, and thereafter the cylinder 57 will be rolled towards and over theplate orelement B to transfer the impressions carried thereby to theprintmg plate or element. From the position shown in Figure 2 to thestriking position on the plate or element B, the angular travel ofrotation of the roller 57 will be approximately 270 degrees. So also thelength of the frame from the normal or inoperative.

position of the'proof cylinder, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and i, willbesuch that said cylinder will travel about 270 degrees to bring itseffective striking surface into striklng position against the typeforms.

' In operation, assuming that the printing forms are the up and downlines to produce a cross ruled sheeton the printing plate or element B,the down rule form and cross rule form are placed at the, relativepositions on the type form bed, as shown in Figure 1. The down rule formis first proved and registered by running the proof cylinder and inkingrollers thereover. This form is located at the near left hand. side ofthe printing form bed and becomes the key form. Thereafter, the form isproved and registered with respect to the first proved form. It will benoted that the total length of the double bed is twice the effectiveproving surface of the proof cylinder; in other words, the effectivecircumferential dimension of the proving surface equals slightly morethan one half the length of the bed. The two parts of the bed, dividedby the transverse rail, and the travel of the proof cylinder from theposition shown in Figure 1, are such that substantially 1 revolutions ofthe proof cylinder-will bring the clearance recess-thereof at the lowerside of the cylinder" in line with said transverse rail.Whenprovin'g-thekey form, the proof roller may be advanced and turned onitsaxis to bring it to the latter position, and thereupon, its drivintrain may be disconnectedv and the lock pin 86 connected to the cylinderend, so that by reversing rotation of the crank of the proof cylindershaft the proof cylinder may be carried backwardly overthe key formwithout rotation and withouttouchingghe key form. When the proof isfound to perfect and in register, the proof cylinder can again be causedto travel over the ke form without rotation and to allow the in ingrollers to be adjusted against the ke form when the proof roller isreturne Thereafter, the transfer cylinder 56 can be moved,bodily,forward1y over the printing form, it preferably being held fromrotation until it reaches the striking position on the proof form at theexterior front margin thereof, and is thereafter locked and rotated andpicks up the impressions from the printing form and is then rolledbackwardly away from the printing form bed. Thereafter, the secondprinting form 33' is in generally like manner proved and registered onthe rear part of the double bed. By reason of the fact that the proofcylinder will reach the striking surface of the second form, just afterit has passed over the center rail, the impressions of the second formwill be superimposed on the proof cylinder on the area occupied by theimpressions of the key form on the proof cylinder. When it is found thatthe lines of the object of the second form are in register with thelines of the object of the key form, then the transfer cylinder 56 canbe brought forward to pick up the impressions of the second printingform and superimpose them in proper relation with the impressions of thekey proof form theretofore transferred thereto. The two forms are now inperfect register, and the bed supporting the printing forms may belongitudlnally and transversely adjusted through the hand wheels 42 and46 to separately collate the lines of the objects of the printing formson different circumferential and lon itudinal areas of the transfercylin der unti it is filled. Between such collating operations the proofcylinder will be run over the forms in order to assure that the printingforms are in proper register and also to insure that the printing formsurfaces are perfect in detail. The inking rolls will be adjusted totravel on the surfaces of the printing forms both ahead of the proofcylinder and ahead of each pass of the transfer cylinder.

If it be desired to use a third printing form having different objectlines of the same color to be superimposed'on the collated impressionsof the first two forms, the

second form will be removed from the bed .clearance recesses faceddownwardly. Al-

ternatively, tracks may be employed for this separation by activelymoving the rollers upwardly, as shown in my aforesaid patent. It will benoted that after the transfer cylinder 56 has been filled, the transfertherefrom, either to the second roller 57 or directly to the element B,can be effected in a single operation or complete travel of the rollerthe desired distance. When operating on printing forms of lesserdimensions the number of proving and transfer operations will beincreased proportionate to the lesser sizes of the printing forms, but,in other respects, the operation will be identically the same. a

If desired, the cross head frames for the cylinders 56 and 57 may belocked to the superframe by set nuts 155 or by other suitable means, inorder that it will not be jarred out of place when the cylinder 56 isbrought to the cylinder 57 for transferring operation. Furthermore thecross head for the cylinder 56 may carry a pointer 156 adapted toregister with a registermark on one of the raiis 64 when said cylinderreaches the outermost position, so that its surface will register withthe striking position on the printing element or plate when the saidcylinder is returned and is rotating.

In the foregoing described operation of superimposing impressions on thetransfer roller, it is assumed that the impressions are for ink of thesame color toproduce a single collated impression on the printing form.If 'color plates are to be produced the objects of the printing formsare registered and proved on the bed 18 in the manner before described,but the'imp-ressionsfor plates of different colors will be separatelypicked and collated by the transfer cylinder and separately printed onthe printing plates to produce colorplates. 5

press having a given effective circumferential length of transfercylinder may be employed for preparing more than one size of offset orlithograph printing plates. This can be effected by the adjustable bedfor the printing element B before described. After the impressions fromone of the transfer cylinders fill the part of the plate between theframe rails the transversely adjustable bed can be moved, through themedium of the rack and screw mechanism described, under the supervislonof a micrometer. Thus the lengths of the printing plates can beincreased two or, more timesto adapt them to offset or lithographiccylinders of difierent sizes. I

In order to originally adjust the cylinders to the proper height,relatively to the printing forms and elements, the superframe may beadjustably connected to the main frame, as by means of the screws 152threaded into lugged standards of the. superframe and bearing on themain frame. These lifting and lowering screws may be associated with anysuitable form of micrometer.

It is to be understood that variations in the structural details of thedisclosed embodiment of my invention can be made without departure fromthe spirit and scope of the claims hereto appended and that it is theintent to claim all of inherent novelty herein disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. The methdd of producing printing elements, such as offset plates,lithograph plates, and the like, from printing forms which comprises thesteps of proving and registering the forms on a support, rolling acylindrie transfer surface thereover to receive superimposed impressionsfrom the forms, and finally transferring said superimposed impressionsfrom the transfer surface to produce the desired plates.

2. The method described which comprises the steps of proving andregistering two printing forms in a manner to produce a superimposedproof impression of said forms on a cylindric surface, and finallytransfer ring the proved and registered forms to a printing plate. Y

3. The method described which comprises the steps of proving andregistering two printing forms in a manner to produce a superimposedimpression of said forms on a cylindric surface, relatively shiftingsaid forms when so registered and collating the registered impressionsto a transfer element.

4. The method described which comprises the steps of proving andregistering two printing forms in a manner to produce a superimposedimpression of said forms on 1 the surface of a cylinder, relativelyshifting said forms when so registered, collating theregisteredimpressions on a transfer element, and reversing said impressionsbetween the printing forms and said element, so that the impressionswill appear reversed on the printing element relatively to said printingforms.

5. The method of producing printing elements, such as offset plates,lithograph plates, and the like, which comprises the steps of provingand registering the forms on a support, rolling a cylindric transfersurface over'and to receive superimposed lmpressions from the fromprinting forms forms, giving relative movement to said forms and saidtransfer surface to superimpose said impressions at differentlongitudinal and circumferential surfaces of the area of the cylindrictransfer surface, and imprinting the transferred impressions from saidtransfer surface to a printing plate.

6. The method of making plates from printing forms which comprises thesteps of proving and registering forms on a flat support, rolling acylindrie transfer surface thereover to receive impressions from saidforms, with the forms spaced to place the objects of the forms insuperimposed registered relation on the transfer surface, givingrelative movement to the form support and the transfer surface todispose said superimposed transfers longitudinally and cireumferentially'of the transfer surface, and applying the transfer ofsaid surface to a plate to produce the printing plate.

7. The method of making plates from printing forms which comprises thesteps of proving and registering forms on a flat support, rolling acylindric transfer surface thereover to receive impressions from saidforms, with the forms spaced to place the objects of the forms insuperimposed registered relation on the transfer surface, givingrelative movement to the-form support and the transfer surface todispose said superimposed transfers longitudinally andcircumferentially' of the transfer surface, applying the transfer ofsaid surface to a plate to produce the printing plate, and transferringthe impressions from said transfer surface to a second cylindric transfor surface to reverse the object impressions on a final printing plate.

8. The method of producing printing elements, such as offset, lithographplates, and the like, from printing forms which comprises the steps ofproving and registering the forms on a. support, rolling a cylindrictransfer surface over and to receive impressions from the forms,imparting relative movement to said forms and said transfer surface totransfer said impressions at different longitudinal surfaces of the areaof the cylindric transfer surface, effecting relative separation of theeffective area of the transfer surface and the printing forms, andimprinting the transferred impressions on the printing plate.

9. The method of making plates from proved and registered printing formswhich con'lprises the steps of passing a rotary transfer surface intransfer contact with a form containing an object to be transferred, andby continued rotation passing it" in printing contact with a plate, andimparting relative movement of said transfer surface and of said form orplate to imprint the transfer on' said plate in desired relativeposition on the printing plate.

10. The method of producing printing plates by the use of two transfersurfaces, which comprises the steps of directly transferring the objectto one of said surfaces, transferring the object from the first to thesecond transfer surface to reverse the object, and imprinting thereversed object on a printing plate.

11. The inethod of producing printing plates by the use of two rotarytransfer surfaces, which comprises the steps of rolling one of thesurfaces over a printing form to receive atransfer, rolling the firstsurface peripherally against a second surface to reverse the object andafterwards rolling the second transfer surface over a plate to imprintthe reversed object directly thereon to produce the printing plate.

121 The method of making; plates from proved and registered printingforms which comprises the steps of'passing a rotary transfer surface intransfer contact with a form containing an object to be trans ferred,reversing the lines of the object between the position from which it istaken from the form and the position at which it is imprinted on aprinting element, and imparting relative movement of the transfersurface and of said form or plate to imprint the surface in a desiredrelation on the printing plate.

13. The method of producing printing elements, such. as offset plates,litho raph plates, and the like, from printing orms, which comprises thesteps of proving and registering the forms on a support, rolling acylindric transfer surface over and to receive impressions from theforms, giving relative movement to said forms and said .transfer surfaceto transfer said impressions at different longitudinal andcircumferential surfaces of the area of the eylindric transfer surface,effecting relative separation of the effective area of the transfersurface and the printing forms and plate, and maintaining the eylindricrolling surface in register wlth the printing forms and printing plate.

14. The method described which comprises the steps of first registeringand proving a key form on a support, thereafter registering and provinganother form through the guidance of said key form, and finallytransferring the impressions from said forms to printing plates.

15. The method described which 'comprises the steps of first registeringand prov ing a key form on a support, thereafter registering and provinganother form through the guidance of said key. form, imparting relativemovement to the registered forms and the proving and registering medium,and transferring the impressions from said forms to printing plates.

16. The method described which comprises the steps of first registeringand proving a key form on a support, thereafter registering and provinganother form through the guidance of said key form, rolling a cylindrictransfer surface over the registered forms to pick up impressionstherefrom, imparting relative movement between the forms and transfersurface to transfer said impressions to different longitudinal andcircumferential areas of the transfer surface, and imprinting saidtransfer impressions on a plate.

17. A press for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, a printingform bed thereon, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed toreceive transfers from an object supported on the bed, a support for aprinting plate over which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to rollto imprint the transfer impressions on a plate carried by the latter lsupport, gear means on said cylinder and frame and Wholly above theplane of a plate on said plate support to cause said cylinder to rotateand travel, and means to transversely adjust said plate supportrelatively to the transfer rpller.

18. A press for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, a printingform bed thereon, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed toreceive transfers from an object supported on the bed, a support for aprinting plate over which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to rollto imprint the transfer impressions on a plate supported on the latterbed, said plate support being disposed transversely of said frame andthe printing form bed, gear driving means for said cylinder wholly abovethe plane of said support, and means to adjust the said plate supporttransversely with respect to said frame to enable printing plates ofgreater length than the transfer cylinder to be made by successiveoperations of the cylinder.

19. A press for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, a printingform bed thereon, a proof cylinder movable over said bed to proveprinting forms thereon, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed toreceive transfers from anvobject supported on the bed, a support for aprinting plate over which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to rollto imprint the transfer impressions on a plate supported on the latterbed, said support extending laterally from both sides of the frame tosupport a plural plate element, driving means for said cylinder whol- 1yabove the plane of a printing plate sustained on said support, and meansto adjust said plate bed rela 'vely to the transfer roller.

20. A press for the purpose set forthcom prising a frame, a printingform bed thereon, a proof cylinder movable over said bed to proteprinting forms thereon, means to adjust said bed relatively to saidproof cylinder, a transfer cylinder travelable over said bed to receive.transfers from an object supported on the bed, internal driving inder, asupport for a printing plate over,

which the said transfer cylinder is adapted to roll to imprint thetransfer impressions;

on a plate supported on the latter bed, and means to adjust said platebed relatively to the transfer roller.

21. A proof and'transfer press for making printing plates, such asoffset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, spaced printing formand printing element beds supported thereon, a proof cylinder travelableover the printirfi form bed, a transfer cylinder travelable over saidprinting form bed and over said printing element, top guided cross headsmovable along guides on said frames .in which said cylinders. are

mounted, racks extending longitudinally of said frame, and a train ofgears for each cylinder carried by its cross head for connecting saidracks to said cylinder to give traveling movement of the cylinderrelatively to; said frame.

22. A proof and transfer press for making printing plates, such asoffset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, spaced printing formand printing element bed supported thereon, a proof cylinder-travelableover the printingtform bed, a transfer cylinder travelable over saidprinting form bed and over said printing element, top guided cross headsmovable along guides on said frame in which said cylinders are mounted,racks extending longitudinally of said frame, and .atrain of gears foreach cylinder carried by its cross head for connecting said racks tosaid cylinder to give traveling movement of the cylinder relatively tosaid frame, said gear train being constructed to cause the cylinders toroll during travel and also to allow them to travel while non-rotativeon their axes.

23. A proof and transfer press? for making printing plates, such asoffset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, a spaced printingvform and printing element bed supported thereon, a proof cylindertravelable over the printing formbed, a transfer cylinder travelableover said printing form bed and over said printing element, cross headsmovable along. guides on said frame in which said cylinders are mounted,racks extending longitudinally of said frame, and a train'of gearsforeach cylinder carried by its cross head for connecting said racks tosaid cylinder to give traveliiig movement of the cylinder relatively tosaid frame, said gear trains having terminal pinions to mesh with saidracks, and gears on the cylinder with which the other terminal pinionsof the train mesh.

24;. A proof and transfer press for making printing plates, such asoffset and lithograph plates, comprising a frame, spaced printing formand printing element beds supported thereon, able over the printing formbed, a transfer cylinder travelable over said printing form bed and oversaid printing element, cross heads movable along guides on said" framein which said cylinders are mounted, racks extending longitudinally ofsaid frame, and a train of gears for each cylinder carried by its crosshead for connecting said racks to said cylinder to give travelingmovement of the cylinder relatively to said frame, said gear trainshaving terminal pinions to mesh with said racks, gears on the cylinderwith which the other terminal pinions of the train mesh, and the geartrains each embracing a demeshing pinion to break the train from therack to the cylinder gear.

a proof cylinder travel-.

' of August, 1921.

25. A proof and transfer press comprising a frame, a printing form bedsupported thereon, with means to prove and register printing forms onsaid bed, a transfer cylinder to receive impressions from the printingforms, an internal driving gear for said cylinder to cause it to rotateon its axis and to travel along said frame, a bed over which saidcylinder rolls to support a plate wholly beneath said internal drivinggear, whic plate receives transfer impressions from said transfercylinder, and means for adjusting the latter support laterallyrelatively to the frame.

In testimony whereof I claim the foregoing as my invention, I hereuntoappend my signature at Chicago, Illinois,

LOUIS SMITH.

this 3 day

